FY 2021 VBA Annual Report: Service-Connected Disability Compensation

[Tbird]

[broncovet]

I hope marijuana is legal in the state(s) this report was made, because the authors were obviously smoking some of it.  

Example:  

     On page 78, the report claims that $346,670 was paid out in compensation to male Veterans 

"at a combined rating of zero percent".  How is that possible?  How do I know?  I had a "combined rating of 0 percent", and, I got exactly $0.00 per month, the same as all 0 percent Veterans, male or female get.  

     I noticed other "wacky" examples demonstrating only one conclusion:  VA MADE UP (Fabricated) these numbers, hoping no one would check.  The VA needs some real accountability, not the VAOIG "kangaroo court".  

[Tbird]

See Footnote 10: All amounts of payment in the category of 0-percent combined disability are due to receipt of special monthly compensation or a 10-percent rate resulting from two or more permanent 0-percent service-connected disabilities which clearly interfere with normal employability.  

2021-abr-page-78.pdf

[broncovet]

And, again, on page 79, Veterans with 0 percent combined were compensated 9.2 million dollars, (I guess the earlier numbers were "new" SC disabilities, while page 79 is all of them, new and old). 

[broncovet]

Yes, I saw that..Tbird..and it does not make sense either.  Yes I know if you get about 3 or more 0 percents, it combines to 10%.  But that is not a "combined 0 percent"..its a combined 10 percent.  

And, SMC for 0 percent disabilities doesnt make sense either.  SMC is for Vets with severe disabilities.  So, how can they have severe disabilities and be 0 percent combined?  While not all SMC's require 100 percent, can you think of any example where a combined 0 percent rating warrants SMC?  I cant.  

Mostly, SMC is for "loss of use" except A and A, and housebound.  And housebound requires 100 percent.  And, it does not make sense that someone with a 0 percent rating would need A and A, either.  

Or am I the one who is crazy, here?  

Edited January 14, 2023 by broncovet

[Tbird]

From the VA.gov

If you qualify for SMC-K, we add this rate to your basic disability compensation rate for any disability rating from 0% to 100%.

 

SMC K was the only one I could think of. In general though, I agree with you some of those numbers I find confusing even with the footnotes.